Australia honeymoon murder suspect returns to Ala

JEFFERSON COUNTY, AL (WBRC) - An accused murderer is back in Alabama. Gabe Watson wakes up in the Jefferson County Jail on Tuesday morning.

Watson was seen at the Birmingham Shuttlesworth Airport as law enforcement took him to the Jefferson County Jail.

A grand jury has given Alabama prosecutors permission to pursue capital murder charges against Watson in the 2003 death of his wife, Tina. Tina Watson died during a scuba diving expedition while the couple honeymooned in Australia.

Watson later admitted to a charge of manslaughter and served 18 months in an Australian prison. He was detained there following his release until Australian authorities received assurance from Alabama prosecutors that Watson would not face the death penalty, if convicted.

Alabama prosecutors are charging Watson anew because they believe he plotted to kill his wife while in Jefferson County. Watson's attorneys deny that claim and they want their client out on bond while the state makes its case. They say they are planning to ask for a bond hearing.